Global human influence maps reveal clear opportunities in conserving Earth’s remaining intact terrestrial ecosystems

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 26(8), P. 4344 - 4356

Published: June 5, 2020

Abstract Leading up to the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of Parties 15, there is momentum around setting bold conservation targets. Yet, it remains unclear how much Earth's land area without significant human influence and where this located. We compare four recent global maps influences across land, Anthromes, Global Human Modification, Footprint Low Impact Areas, answer these questions. Despite using various methodologies data, different spatial assessments independently estimate similar percentages terrestrial surface as having very low (20%–34%) (48%–56%) influence. Three out agree 46% non‐permanent ice‐ or snow‐covered However, portions planet are comprised cold (e.g., boreal forests, montane grasslands tundra) arid deserts) landscapes. Only biomes (boreal deserts, temperate coniferous forests have a majority datasets agreeing that at least half their has More concerning, <1% grasslands, tropical dry most datasets, mangroves also identified all datasets. These findings suggest about relatively offers opportunities for proactive actions retain last intact ecosystems planet. though relative abundance ecosystem areas with varies widely by biome, conserving should be high priority before they completely lost.

Language: Английский

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Challenges and opportunities of area-based conservation in reaching biodiversity and sustainability goals

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(2), P. 325 - 352

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Abstract Area-based conservation is essential to safeguard nature’s diversity. In view of expanding human land use, increasing climate change and unmet targets, area-based requires efficiency effectiveness more than ever. this review, I identify relate pressing challenges promising opportunities for effective efficient protected area governance management, enhance research, decision-making capacity building in under uncertain future developments. reveal that management particularly challenged by change, invasive species, social, political economic limitations. Protected often lacks the continuous availability data on current states trends nature threats. Biocultural conservation, climate-smart biosecurity approaches help overcome induced needs, respectively. Economic valuation shifts funding priorities can boost efficiency. In-situ monitoring techniques, remote sensing open infrastructures fill information gaps planning management. Moreover, adaptive an auspicious concept framework systematic ensure enduring areas despite unpredictable Post-2020 international biodiversity sustainable development goals could be met earlier if were effective. consequently conclude with need a global system support synthesizing at local level.

Language: Английский

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Vulnerabilities of protected lands in the face of climate and human footprint changes

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: March 12, 2021

Protected areas (PAs) play a pivotal role in maintaining viable populations of species and minimizing their habitat loss. Globally, there are currently over 200,000 PAs that cover approximately 15% land area. The post-2020 global biodiversity framework aims to expand this coverage 30% by 2030. However, focusing only on the percentage without evaluating effectiveness may fail achieve conservation goals. Here, we use multidimensional approach incorporating species, climate anthropogenic vulnerabilities assess threat levels 2500 China. We identify nearly 10% as most threatened China about one-fifth hotspots vulnerabilities. also find high instability vulnerability hotspots, suggesting an elevated likelihood species' extirpation therein. Our could be useful assessing resiliency protected lands selecting near optimal for future expansion.

Language: Английский

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Countries’ differentiated responsibilities to fulfill area-based conservation targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

One Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 548 - 559

Published: May 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: May 22, 2024

Abstract Natural ecosystems store large amounts of carbon globally, as organisms absorb from the atmosphere to build large, long-lasting, or slow-decaying structures such tree bark root systems. An ecosystem’s sequestration potential is tightly linked its biological diversity. Yet when considering future projections, many models fail account for role biodiversity plays in storage. Here, we assess consequences plant loss storage under multiple climate and land-use change scenarios. We link a macroecological model projecting changes vascular richness different scenarios with empirical data on relationships between biomass. find that declines land use could lead global 7.44-103.14 PgC (global sustainability scenario) 10.87-145.95 (fossil-fueled development scenario). This indicates self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels greater loss, which turn leads emissions ultimately more change. Conversely, conservation restoration can help achieve mitigation goals.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity conservation in the context of climate change: Facing challenges and management strategies

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 937, P. 173377 - 173377

Published: May 23, 2024

Language: Английский

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Global shortfalls in documented actions to conserve biodiversity

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 630(8016), P. 387 - 391

Published: June 5, 2024

Abstract Threatened species are by definition that in need of assistance. In the absence suitable conservation interventions, they likely to disappear soon 1 . There is limited understanding how and where interventions applied globally, or well work 2,3 Here, using information from International Union for Conservation Nature Red List other global databases, we find at risk three biggest drivers biodiversity loss—habitat loss, overexploitation international trade invasive 4 —many appear lack appropriate types interventions. Indeed, although there has been substantial recent expansion protected area network, still 91% threatened have insufficient representation their habitats within areas. not implemented uniformly across different taxa regions and, even when present, infrequently led improvements status species. For 58% world’s terrestrial species, be notably absent. We cannot determine whether such truly neglected, efforts recover them included major databases. If indeed outlook many grim without more better targeted action.

Language: Английский

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Predicted climate shifts within terrestrial protected areas worldwide

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Oct. 21, 2019

Protected areas (PA) are refugia of biodiversity. However, anthropogenic climate change induces a redistribution life on Earth that affects the effectiveness PAs. When species forced to migrate from protected unprotected track suitable climate, they often face degraded habitats in human-dominated landscapes and higher extinction threat. Here, we assess how conditions expected shift within world's terrestrial PAs (n = 137,432). temperate northern high-latitude biomes predicted obtain especially high area proportions novel PA network at local, regional global scale by end this century. These predominantly small, low elevation, with environmental heterogeneity, human pressure, biotic uniqueness. Our results guide adaptation measures towards strongly affected change, adaption capacity conservation value.

Language: Английский

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Effectiveness of protected areas in conserving tropical forest birds

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Sept. 14, 2020

Abstract Protected areas (PAs) are the cornerstones of global biodiversity conservation efforts, but to fulfil this role they must be effective at conserving ecosystems and species that occur within their boundaries. Adequate monitoring datasets allow comparing between protected unprotected sites lacking in tropical regions. Here we use largest citizen science dataset – eBird quantify extent which eight forest hotspots retaining bird diversity. We find generally positive effects protection on diversity forest-dependent, endemic hotspots, or threatened Near Threatened, not overall richness. Furthermore, show most examined benefit is driven by preventing both loss degradation. Our results provide evidence that, average, contribute measurably some world’s diverse terrestrial ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Cost-effective priorities for the expansion of global terrestrial protected areas: Setting post-2020 global and national targets

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 6(37)

Published: Sept. 9, 2020

Cost-effective zones for the expansion of global terrestrial protected areas are identified.

Language: Английский

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